More than 100 businesses came together at title sponsors Thrings’ offices in Swindon for the launch of this year’s Wiltshire Business Awards, each looking to follow in the footsteps of the Royal Wootton Bassett travel agency who scooped the prestigious Outstanding Excellence award last year.
The breakfast event was hosted by Louise Cooper from Newsquest Wiltshire, who are staging the awards which recognise and celebrate the excellence and achievements of Wiltshire’s thriving business community for the 24th time.
Guests heard from each of the awards sponsors, as well as from Clare Haines, founder and director of the Lingerie Outlet Store, a past winner of the Small Business of the Year Award. Clare spoke about the value entering the awards had brought to her organisation, and highlighted the difference winning the award had made.
This year businesses will compete in a total of 10 categories – including the brand new Corporate, Social and Environmental Responsibility Award – with all entrants gaining automatic entry into the Thrings-sponsored Outstanding Excellence Award.
The other categories are: Business Person of the Year; Learning and Development Employer of the Year Award; Creative Awareness Award; Customer and Staff Care Award; Medium Sized Enterprise Award; Start Up Business of the Year; Service to the Community Award; and Small Business Award.
Thrings partner Ramona Derbyshire, a long-term member of the awards’ judging panel, said: “Profitability, financial security, a willingness to innovate and an unwavering focus on looking after customers are just some of the attributes that can help companies land a Wiltshire Business Award.
“Add in a dose of determination to encourage and motivate their staff and a desire to support their local community and a business could be on its way to securing silverware.
“The awards continue to be the most coveted and highly-respected of their type in the county. Thrings is very pleased to be supporting the awards once again, and hearing about the many success stories from individuals and organisations across the region.”
The closing date for entries to the awards is 29 January, with Thrings also hosting a ‘meet the judges’ evening in Swindon in February. Wiltshire Business Award winners will be announced at a gala ceremony at Center Parcs Longleat on 20 April.
More for information about the 2018 Wiltshire Business Awards, please click here.